is too cold.) Repeating icing several times after the injury helps to reduce the swelling and pain. For sprains, which is an injury to a ligament caused by stretching the ligament too far or tearing it, Diep recommends following the acronym RICE: rest, ice, compression, elevation. “Try to not bear too much weight on it,” he advises. If the bruise or sprain doesn’t get better, for severe pain or for suspicion of infection, see a healthcare professional. Burns and sunburns: Heat, chemicals and the sun can cause tissue damage in the skin. Major burns need emergency medical help, but minor burns can often be treated with first aid. Immediate action for a minor burn includes holding the area under cool (not cold) running water for about 10 minutes. Then, the advice for cuts and scrapes with cleaning the area with water and applying Foreign objects in eyes, ears, throat or skin: Children try to figure out how the world around them works. What will happen if I stick this pen cap in my ear? Uh oh, I put a small rock in my eye. The lead from this pencil might go into my skin. Or even taking a big bite without chewing – leading to choking. First aid can be administered for foreign object in the body, but an ER visit might also be appropriate at times. Expands Diep, “Do the Heimlich maneuver for choking. Try to flush the eye with water, if object is in eye. Go to the ER for an evaluation for foreign objects in ears and skin.” Bruises and sprains: For bruises, Diep recommends to mainly ice. An ice pack can be applied to the area where the under-the-skin blood vessels broke, and then leave the ice in place for 20 minutes. (Use a thin towel if the ice 88 HAWAII PARENT July/August 2024 For sprains and bruises, rest, ice, compression, and elevation will help to reduce swelling and pain.
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